Senior Manager of Applications

Vedder Price's Chicago office is looking for a Senior Manager of Applications. The Senior Manager of Applications is responsible for the management and supervision of the Business Application Support Teams (consisting of developers, DBA's, and application specialists) ensuring that each team is aligned with the business objectives of the firm. These teams primarily focus on integration and configuration of off the shelf solutions.

This role is accountable for planning, maintaining, securing, and improving how applications optimize the user experience. This position will be responsible for mentoring management and staff to ensure that they achieve and improve skillsets necessary to meet project objectives and deadlines. The Sr. Manager will build relationships with internal stakeholders (such as business unit leads), vendors, and the technical/support staff to ensure effective definition and the delivery of business specific applications.

As a Senior Manager of Applications, your duties will include but not be limited to:

• Partner with other members of the IT Leadership team to execute the department's the strategic vision for the firm.
• Provide technical support, direction, and solution options to business leads that address their requirements.
• Lead and act as escalation point on all phases of application development.
• Guide the delegation of development work appropriately based on skill sets and subject matter expertise of team members.
• Collaborate with project management and business analyst resources to ensure proper requirements gathering and definition, scope definition, and project planning prior to initiation of projects.
• Help teams balance operational "lights on" activities with innovative project work.
• Work with Data Architect to optimize application integrations with efficient data structures.
• Champion technology best practices, including establishing guidelines to improve code quality and security.
• Advise the CIO in defining staffing requirements, identifying needed development, engineering, and analysis skillsets, as well as strengthening the organizational structure of the application team.
• Manage staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation and disciplinary actions.
• Build positive relationships with other teams and leaders within the firm to maintain optimal collaboration.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical users at all levels of the organization.
• Superior understanding of the firm's goals and objectives, with demonstrated ability to apply technology in solving business problems.
• Working knowledge of legal technology, with experience on projects from providers such as Intapp, Litera, iManage, and Microsoft.
• Strong organizational skills, capability to schedule and coordinate multiple activities in a results-oriented environment. Initiative and ability to enforce policies and procedures through influence.
• Must be highly available and responsive to occasional after-hours issues as the firm operates in various time zones.

Qualifications & Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Proven experience managing multiple teams with various level of skills and projects with a range of complexities.
• 10+ years overall IT work experience, ideally in the legal industry or other demanding professional services environment.
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

Computer Skills:

• Knowledge of emerging technologies (i.e., types of AI).
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Visio).
• Knowledge of SQL server and fundamentals of database design.

Compensation Range: 150,000/yr. to $178,000/yr.

At Vedder Price, we believe in recognizing and rewarding our employees' contributions. Our comprehensive Total Rewards Package includes:

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive base salary commensurate with skills and experience.
• Bonus Program: Discretionary annual bonus program.
• Retirement Planning: Discretionary profit sharing and 401(k) matching to help you plan for your future.
• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, along with optional health savings and flexible spending accounts, firm-paid Life and Disability benefits, and wellness programs to support your overall well-being.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive time off package including vacation days, paid holidays, sick time and personal days.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and career growth through firm provided training programs.
• Employee Recognition: Anniversary and Vedder Praise Programs to celebrate your achievements and milestones.
• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work model and family-friendly policies.
• Additional Perks: Employee discount program, pre-tax commuter benefits, back up child & elder care, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center discounts and more.

Join Vedder Price and be part of a team that values hard work and dedication!

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Price Recruiting Team at vprecruiting@vedderprice.com.